Exercise versus genetics

plarcade
plarcade Posts: 125 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I've just watched Penn and Teller's Exercise versus Genetics and .... I'm confused.... surely you can't pin EVERYthing on genetics? I mean... I'm sure it's relevant to a point, but there MUST be outside influences; lifestyle choices, upbringing, etc. I mean... lets suppose someone is overweight, out of shape, etc... why should they give up before they've started and just assume that that's the body shape they've been allotted?
How do you KNOW until you've tried exercising, etc, that you CAN'T be a different shape? Either I'm not getting it, or it's a very simplistic outlook. Ideas please?
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Replies

  • Game8
    Game8 Posts: 442
    “Never let anyone with twice the genetics but only half the determination EVER beat you" ~ Kai Greene
  • avir8
    avir8 Posts: 671 Member
    REALLY!! You're getting scientific advice from Penn & Teller hahahah
    Of course environmental, and physical factors affect you your whole life

    where's the facepalm .gif when you need one
  • plarcade
    plarcade Posts: 125 Member
    This is the thing... how are 'genetics' determined? How does someone who is really REALLY determined to make a difference to their lifestyle to be 'restricted' by genetics. It seems to me all to easy to say "Ahhh well, that person is geneticaly programmed to be lean and muscular" How do you even know that until you try??
  • plarcade
    plarcade Posts: 125 Member
    REALLY!! You're getting scientific advice from Penn & Teller hahahah
    Of course environmental, and physical factors affect you your whole life

    where's the facepalm .gif when you need one
    Gosh, aren't YOU friendly? NO, of course I don't. I merely used Penn and Teller as a springboard for healthy debate. I guess that's a bit of a stretch for you.....? Facepalm is just sooooooo witty.
  • Gallowmere1984
    Gallowmere1984 Posts: 6,626 Member
    This is the thing... how are 'genetics' determined? How does someone who is really REALLY determined to make a difference to their lifestyle to be 'restricted' by genetics. It seems to me all to easy to say "Ahhh well, that person is geneticaly programmed to be lean and muscular" How do you even know that until you try??

    Short answer: you don't. Those massive bodybuilders and huge powerlifters? Yeah, a lot of them have awesome genetics, BUT if they hadn't have busted their *kitten* to get that way, they'd still just look like some random guy you'd pass on the street and not even notice.
  • kellyirisheyes
    kellyirisheyes Posts: 137 Member
    genes are not our fate! they certainly predispose us to certain attributes such as obesity, but that doesn't dictate whether or not that trait will be set in stone. we decide how to treat our bodies, what we put into them, how we use them.
    that's my opinion.
  • plarcade
    plarcade Posts: 125 Member
    genes are not our fate! they certainly predispose us to certain attributes such as obesity, but that doesn't dictate whether or not that trait will be set in stone. we decide how to treat our bodies, what we put into them, how we use them.
    that's my opinion.
    This is what I think; determination is at least 50% of the battle... but how can it possibly be determined what is 'genetic' and what 'learned' or something we decide to do?
    I think I'm genetically 'rewarded'; I LOVE to eat, but losing weight is not all that hard and I don't have 'awkward' areas of fat. Then again, I was taught to eat healthy, and I really enjoy exercise. Did I learn this from my parents (not particularly sporty, but both skinny) or do I just not want to be excessively overweight?
    It all seems to be something of a grey are....
  • jgsparks89
    jgsparks89 Posts: 85 Member
    Exactly what others said. Genetics create a "range", if you will, of possibilities. Where exactly you fall comes down to environmental factors such as lifestyle choices, childhood nutrition, etc (barring any gross physiological dysfunction or disease). That is clear to anyone who studies genetic phenomena and health.
  • lachesissss
    lachesissss Posts: 1,298 Member
    Genetics predispose us to things like height, build, where our fat distributes on our body, how our muscle mass develops - that's how they work. That's why we have different body types across the sexes. Where they can be limiting is mental, comparing yourself to someone else who is genetically not like you and comparing yourself to them, is where I think the crux of the argument comes from - because everybody is not built to the commonly markteted ideal body type. However, everyone is capable of exercise in some capacity and can therefore modify their body as such. Even though we are genetically distinct, we are also incredibly similar in things like muscle tissue and fat cells, all of which we all have the capacity to build and burn depending on how we fuel our bodies and how hard we work for it. I feel that this is most illustrative in the contestants of the Biggest Loser - they all come to the show with different body types, etc, but they are also all obese. The contestants then work for their weight-loss and fitness goals, and they all change. Not towards some ideal of what a body should look like, but towards the best image of their body based on their height, build, fat and muscle distribution, which at its roots comes from how our genes express themselves as our bodies.
  • azwaa
    azwaa Posts: 81 Member
    There is research that suggests that genetics can be changed by environment and that they are not set in stone but are influenced by hormones (stress, endorphines etc). Of course then there is the expression of said genetics. Don't forget that a gene that makes you carry more fat can do squat if you live through a famine and don't have food. So long story short, you can't change what has already happened (those hips can only shrink so much until you have only bone, then you can't go any smaller), but you can work to change your future such as changing your muscle composition and body fat percentage.
  • auroranflash
    auroranflash Posts: 3,569 Member
    Genetics predispose us to things like height, build, where our fat distributes on our body, how our muscle mass develops - that's how they work. That's why we have different body types across the sexes. Where they can be limiting is mental, comparing yourself to someone else who is genetically not like you and comparing yourself to them, is where I think the crux of the argument comes from - because everybody is not built to the commonly markteted ideal body type. However, everyone is capable of exercise in some capacity and can therefore modify their body as such. Even though we are genetically distinct, we are also incredibly similar in things like muscle tissue and fat cells, all of which we all have the capacity to build and burn depending on how we fuel our bodies and how hard we work for it. I feel that this is most illustrative in the contestants of the Biggest Loser - they all come to the show with different body types, etc, but they are also all obese. The contestants then work for their weight-loss and fitness goals, and they all change. Not towards some ideal of what a body should look like, but towards the best image of their body based on their height, build, fat and muscle distribution, which at its roots comes from how our genes express themselves as our bodies.
  • Bakkasan
    Bakkasan Posts: 1,027 Member
    You sure can't pin it all on genetics unless your genetics plays a massive factor in your ability.
  • fg8585
    fg8585 Posts: 110 Member
    genes are not our fate! they certainly predispose us to certain attributes such as obesity, but that doesn't dictate whether or not that trait will be set in stone. we decide how to treat our bodies, what we put into them, how we use them.
    that's my opinion.

    This. ^^

    Heck you don't know til you actually try. I didn't know I was capable of losing weight til recently. I only have myself to blame for my 80 pound weight gain. Not genetics even though a lot of my relatives are overweight. It's not a life sentence if I don't want it to be.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    Who cares? You can't do anything about your genetics, so while it's interesting, it's not something worth worrying about.

    Humans have an INCREDIBLE ability to overcome. People lose limbs and participate in iron man triathlons. You can get past whatever minor genetic predispositions you may have. Choose your destiny.
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    When I was younger I resigned myself to the idea that I was genetically meant to be fat. In actuality, genetically speaking... I'm the mesomorph type. The fat I put on over top of my easily-gained muscle was all diet related to emotional instability and family practice. Once I learned how to eat healthfully, and addressed some of the emotional issues, I find it fairly easy to maintain a healthy body. Who knew?!
  • Lift_hard_eat_big
    Lift_hard_eat_big Posts: 2,278 Member
    Genetics play a large role in most people's health, physique, etc.

    A great example is my brother and me. My brother has our father's genetics and build. They are stocky and can bulk really easy, but cutting body fat is a bit challenging. I have our mother's genetics and build, very lean and hard for me to gain weight. I eat like crazy, eat 'garbage' and find it difficult to gain weight. I can however cut body fat rather quickly. In 3-4 weeks, I can cut more body fat than most people can in 2-3 months.
  • againagain
    againagain Posts: 27 Member
    There is research that suggests that genetics can be changed by environment and that they are not set in stone but are influenced by hormones (stress, endorphines etc). Of course then there is the expression of said genetics. Don't forget that a gene that makes you carry more fat can do squat if you live through a famine and don't have food. So long story short, you can't change what has already happened (those hips can only shrink so much until you have only bone, then you can't go any smaller), but you can work to change your future such as changing your muscle composition and body fat percentage.

    This!

    We are learning more and more about genes and how they are turned on and off. I would say CULTURE is a much bigger influence than genetics. If your parents are fat, you are more likely to be heavy too because of genes and culture...

    The fact that the introduction of "american" or "western" diet and lifestyle to peoples all over the world leads to obesity should tell us that genetics doesn't get the last word.
  • runnermama81
    runnermama81 Posts: 388 Member
    This is how I look at it....

    I will always have some features from genetics. ( like large calves, freckles, and my height) i will never be tall or have those long slender legs some are blessed with. That does not give me an excuse to be fat. I need to take care of the body God gave me by keeping it in the best shape possible, and that may look different from someone else's....but that is ok:)
  • lauryn6061
    lauryn6061 Posts: 8 Member
    I was overweight from when i was 11 years old all the way to my late teens. I crash dieted at 18 and struggled to keep the weight off until i was 25.

    All my relatives (both sides of the family) are overweight. I always thought I couldn't do anything about my weight. I thought I had a big frame.

    And then, at 26, I started jogging. At 27, I started dancing.

    Now, I'm 32, have discovered I'm actually very petite and a lot of people think I am 'genetically' thin and athletic. I eat more healthy foods and am quite active with runnning, dancing, yoga. I usually exercise 2-3 times a week. Of course, knowing that everyone in the family is overweight has motivated me much, much more to not follow in their footsteps and to be mindful of my exercise and intake.
  • Michellerawrrr
    Michellerawrrr Posts: 310 Member
    Who cares? You can't do anything about your genetics, so while it's interesting, it's not something worth worrying about.

    Humans have an INCREDIBLE ability to overcome. People lose limbs and participate in iron man triathlons. You can get past whatever minor genetic predispositions you may have. Choose your destiny.

    ^THIS exactly!!
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Who cares? You can't do anything about your genetics, so while it's interesting, it's not something worth worrying about.

    Humans have an INCREDIBLE ability to overcome. People lose limbs and participate in iron man triathlons. You can get past whatever minor genetic predispositions you may have. Choose your destiny.

    This x 1000 for the win
  • Rayman79
    Rayman79 Posts: 2,009 Member
    Bad genetics, lack of time... etc... etc...

    I refuse to be defined by these things any more. I don't give up because of them, I succeed in spite of them.

    Having people tell me I can't is one of the main reasons I WILL!
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    regardless of your genetics, anyone can make choices to be the best person they possibly can be.
    i think blaming genetics, time, certain illnesses, finances, etc are all just excuses people make to not do what it is they know they need to do. plus they are afraid of failing and just automatically give a reason upfront of why they cant do it
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    I've just watched Penn and Teller's Exercise versus Genetics and .... I'm confused.... surely you can't pin EVERYthing on genetics? I mean... I'm sure it's relevant to a point, but there MUST be outside influences; lifestyle choices, upbringing, etc. I mean... lets suppose someone is overweight, out of shape, etc... why should they give up before they've started and just assume that that's the body shape they've been allotted?
    How do you KNOW until you've tried exercising, etc, that you CAN'T be a different shape? Either I'm not getting it, or it's a very simplistic outlook. Ideas please?
    The answer is yes and no. Yes, genetics DO to some extent define what results you can achieve - if you're short and stocky, you're not going to achieve a long, slender build. If you're tall and skinny with long limbs/muscles, you're not going to be thick and blocky. Muscle shapes are pre-defined to a great degree - for example, some bodybuilders have biceps with huge, defined peaks, while others, even though they have huge biceps, will never be able to develop that type of muscle shape. Same with abs, calves, quads/hams and basically any other muscle group - what you've got is what you've got and you can't change the shape of them. Look at photos of bodybuilders - all of them have awesome physiques, but they're not identical.

    On the other hand, the answer is no - regardless of your genetics, anybody is capable of improving their body to a remarkable degree. An obese person can certainly lose the fat and a skinny person can certainly build muscle - and the results will be dependent upon how dedicated they are to diet and exercise. No two peoples' results will be exactly the same even with identical diet/workout regimens, but improvements are certain. "Bad genetics" isn't a valid excuse for being obese or emaciated/skinny-fat.

    The bottom line is that genetics will certainly dictate certain things (fat loss patterns, rate of muscle growth, muscle shape, etc.) and you have to be realistic about the cards you've been dealt, but that doesn't mean you can't strive to make the best of what you have. If you're tall and lanky with a sunken chest, thin bone structure and long, skinny arms, you probably don't have the genetics to be a professional bodybuilder; if you're short and squatty with a thick frame, wide hips and big calves, you're not going to look like a ballet dancer or a fashion runway model - but in either case, you can certainly make the best of what you have and build a physique that's more aesthetic and impressive than probably 90% of the people walking amongst us in the world.
  • plarcade
    plarcade Posts: 125 Member
    Thanks, some great replies that make a whole lot more sense than the 'you are how you are' standpoint :)
  • enewsome2
    enewsome2 Posts: 355 Member
    "I told the doctor that obesity runs in my family, he told me that the problem in my family is that nobody runs."

    I, personally, think genetics affect how easily you gain weight a lot, but my cousin and I are both slim (due to diet and exercise), while the rest of our cousins are larger. You can overcome your "fat" genetics. That being said, I don't ever expect to wear a size 0. I am still really curvy. But slim for my makeup.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    I think that, all other things being equal (which they rarely are), genetics may make the difference between getting on the podium or not.

    Hard work, persistence and a positive mental attitude are far greater determinants of success in our lives (and not just in terms of health and fitness) but it never hurts to have the right parents.
  • wolfgate
    wolfgate Posts: 321 Member
    Exactly what others said. Genetics create a "range", if you will, of possibilities. Where exactly you fall comes down to environmental factors such as lifestyle choices, childhood nutrition, etc (barring any gross physiological dysfunction or disease). That is clear to anyone who studies genetic phenomena and health.

    I like this description. Short and clear. As a runner (racer), all I want to do is maximize my range. I'll never be world class, but I can be the best I can. Some are faster with less effort, but I cannot control that. However, there is much I can control - and that is enough!
  • samanthagray88
    samanthagray88 Posts: 14
    Genes do have their place, but do not determine size. I am naturally prone to being heavy, big boned, and muscular. I know I will never be a size two because you cant lose bone, but that also doesn't mean I can let myself be 250 pounds. I have worked my tail off and although I am still not where I want to be, I know I am doing the best with what God gave me. Just be the best version of yourself. Not what you see on tv and in magazines.
  • rkr22401
    rkr22401 Posts: 216 Member
    Hard work beats good genes when those with good genes do not also work hard.

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